A PENSIONER from Lytchett Matravers has raised almost £60,000 after opening the garden of her home for charity.

Doreen Crumpler, 82, started out back in 1990, when she and her husband, Robin, opened the garden to raise funds for St Mary’s, the parish church of Lytchett Matravers, and subsequently for Alderney Hospital.

The garden event proved so popular, she says, that they continued to do it up to six times a year for the next two decades, until Robin died in 2011, after a battle with cancer.

He spent a period of time at the Lewis-Manning Hospice, based in Poole, and it is for this reason that Doreen has for the past two years split all money raised between the hospice and the National Gardens Open for Charity Society.

Doreen said: “When my mother died of Alzheimer’s, I did work for Alderney Hospital, where I helped to look after their plants and garden.”

She added: “Then when my husband Robin died, I decided to give the money to Lewis-Manning Hospice instead.

“Unfortunately now, I’m not going to be able to continue because of the arthritis in my hands and legs.” In total, Doreen believes that she raised £59,539.86, just off her £60,000 target. She added: “Some years we would collect up to £4,000 for the charities, but it all started with National Garden Scheme, and over £800 was raised from Robin’s funeral, after I asked for donations instead of flowers.

“I’m sure Lewis-Manning are pleased with the money we have made as I know how hard it is for them to raise money.”